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Footy takes root in Columbus

Written by Chet Ridenour and John Fisher

Wednesday, 30 July 2008

Columbus wins

Columbus, Ohio – Hundreds of emails, a city canvassed by fliers, Craigslist posts, Myspace bulletins, Facebook notes, rugby website announcements, countless phone calls, pleas to athletic friends, searches for local Australians, help requested from Nationals, six weeks of training, and dozens of post-practice beers have led to one dream becoming a reality; the Columbus Australian Rules Football Club.

From meager beginnings the team has come a long way in a short time. Two Cincinnati Dockers players began kicking around in Columbus, which led to recruiting interested in friends and four guys at their first practice. Practice attendance has jumped regularly to 10-15 players, which as allowed them to have weekly scrimmages. They’ve even scheduled upcoming games against both Cincinnati and Louisville.

Fast forward to July 19, 2008. The newest team in USFooty was taking on one of the oldest. Leaving Columbus together as a team, they carpooled down to Cincinnati for their first ever match. Seventeen guys: from ex-soccer, rugby, football players, to ex-Cinci & Nashville players, to an Irishman with a funny accent, all made the trip. It was billed as Youth vs. Age. Enthusiasm vs. Experience. Rookies vs. Veterans. Cincinnati was going to put the ‘upstarts’ in their place. Columbus was out to prove that they deserved to be out there on the field, and they did.

At noon, with the temperature already in the 90’s, the teams took the field for the pre-game pageantry. From the opening quarter, it was apparent that Cincinnati had underestimated their opponents. Led by half-forward and rookie Rob Ward’s kicks for goals, Columbus jumped out to a surprising early lead. It was a lead they would never relinquish. In the center, athletic newbies Chris Sparks and Phil Sisia helped control the ball, handpassing with precision and tracking down balls before booting it up to their forwards, like 6’6”, 250 lbs big man Adam Peterson. Player-coaches Matt Reiss and Evan Gardiner, along with solid play from the other backs, anchored a defense that would allow only one goal through the first three quarters.

Demonstrating skill beyond their experience, umpire Daryl Hams would remark, “You’d be hard-pressed to tell which team were the veterans by the way Columbus moved up the field together. With improved skill y’all will be a force to be reckoned with by any team in the league.” But their inexperience would show through as they were often caught in a panic against hard-charging defenders. Improper disposals, running too far with the ball, and other rookie mistakes resulted in many free kicks being awarded to the other team.

In fact, Columbus’ player-coach-captain Chet Ridenour was the most penalized player on his team after numerous rule infractions. Being their first contest, players rotated positions to get a full-taste of the game. Stronger forwards dropped back to defense, as defenders tried their luck on offense. Cincinnati never quit though, and fought hard throughout the game, scoring 25 of their 36 points in the 4th quarter in a too-little-too-late comeback bid. The “Upstarts” would prevail 56-36 for their first ever win.

Cincinnati’s coach had nothing but encouraging remarks for the young squad. “Columbus came down with a young, full, fit squad, which was very impressive. They did things that established clubs don't do on a field let alone a new club. I think there could be a couple Revos coming from Columbus in the future if they keep this up. We look forward to our rematch, August 2 in Louisville,” said Kyle Strenski.

Even with the encouraging start, the team is far from standing firm on their own feet. They’re looking to get recognized by Nationals, and the Mid-America Australian Football League. In their first game, the new club defeated one of the oldest clubs in USFooty, the Cincinnati Dockers.

The squad is seeking local Australians who might assist in supporting, participating or coaching the club, and they are still recruiting athletic players. Ohio State students John Fisher and Rob Ward are trying to establish a club team with the university, that will hopefully become a separate team one day. Their website, ColumbusFooty.com, should be up and online soon as another recruitment tool. They are looking for sponsorship to help them become the first team ever to form and attend Nationals, this October in Colorado, in the same year.

The team is still searching for an identity in a team name, logo and design. An ideal name would reflect the foreign, exotic & toughness aspects of the sport. Names with a hard ‘C’ or ‘K’ to flow with Columbus, like the Crush, Convicts, Craze, Cougars and Cannibals are being considered along with others like the Jackelopes, Ruckmen, Ballers & Explorers. Their work is far from over. Hundreds of more emails need written, phone calls need made, online petitions need posted, fliers need hung and sponsors need solicited if they are to realize another dream. “My goal is to bring a National Championship back to Columbus,” says Chet Ridenour.

An ambitious goal, Chet refers to his father’s words of wisdom, “My dad would tell us kids nothing is impossible. He gave us Buzz Lightyear toys when were in high school to nail home Buzz’s saying, ‘To infinity… and Beyond.’ He’d say, ‘Your Grandpa Tom always said most men never dream big enough.’ ”Noting the support he's already received, Chet adds, “I’ve come to realize that nothing great is ever accomplished without the help of others.”

Maybe we can all find some way to help these boys make their dream a reality. If you have any name suggestions, are an interested player or sponsor, or just want participate in the club, email Chet Ridenour at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , you could become part of a team with something to celebrate come October.